It’ll easily be one of the most exciting matches in football history. The must-win game takes place Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium in London. The first leg of this prestigious encounter kicks off at 9 PM local time (19:00 GMT). New winners Arsenal are eager for a first-ever triumph in the Champions League. The squad’s path forward is complicated, as the team is reeling from serious injury considerations from its players.
The Gunners have a proud tradition, winning 13 English first division teams. As of today, they’re in second place in the Premier League table, just behind Liverpool. And yet, for all their domestic success, the Champions League title has continued to hover just out of reach since the tournament’s creation. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, underlined the importance of this game with the words that as far as he was concerned it was the biggest night of his career.
Injury Woes and Squad Updates
Arsenal enters this crucial tie without five key injured players: Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Gabriel Magalhaes. Of them, only Calafiori has a chance to make it back for the second leg set for April 16.
The good news for the Gunners is that they have England international Bukayo Saka back in full training. Saka showed no ill effects after a 101-day layoff due to a hamstring injury. …he’ll be primed to score in his first start of 2025 against Real Madrid! His presence, both physically and in spirit, could energize the young team. They are incredibly eager to make a huge impression on home-soil for the first time.
Arsenal showed their ever-present fighting ability in European competition, as they are still invincible in their past 16 UEFA competition home appearances. Their pedigree couldn’t be much higher—the Portuguese side have won the first leg in each of their last seven Champions League quarterfinal ties. This 11-game streak certainly adds to their confidence going into this rematch.
Tactical Considerations and Historical Context
In terms of tactical setup, Arsenal’s possible starting XI includes Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Saka, Merino, and Martinelli. Arteta’s choice of lineup is a clear statement of strategy. He’s done a remarkable job mixing veterans with young upstarts as they battle one of Europe’s big boys.
Arsenal and Real Madrid share a storied footballing history, but have not played one another in competitive matches in over a decade. Their most recent meeting was during the 2005/2006 season. Arsenal legend Thierry Henry’s goal, however, would be the only one over the two-legged tie. This magical moment happened at the Bernabeu in Madrid. Those fans are still around, and that match is still fresh in those fans’ minds. Now, they prepare for what should be another wild and crazy episode in this epic rivalry.
“It is 100 percent the biggest night of my career. The excitement around the club, the people – this is the stage we want to be, where Arsenal have to be consistently. That’s why I came into football, that’s why I came into management and especially to this football club. It has been 20 years since we had this type of game and for us it’s a great opportunity to build our own story.” – Mikel Arteta
A Test of Experience and Character
Real Madrid arrives as one of the most successful clubs in Champions League history, making experience a critical factor in this matchup. Real Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti emphasized the value of experienced pros who know how to handle pressure-packed moments.
“Arteta is doing a fantastic job. He has taken this team to the top of Europe and, above all, he’s built a complete team in Europe. There aren’t many teams like that. Experience in this tournament is very important. Knowledge means you’re not afraid of these games, with this pressure. It’s very important to have that experience and players who have played in these games many times. And it helps the young players.” – Carlo Ancelotti
As Arsenal set to take on this colossal matchup against Real Madrid, Gooners around the world are hopeful and eager. The team is focused on making a deeper post-season run. On the other hand, they want to create their own legacy in European football.
